how to make the most of an hour-long afternoon at Alta—something the locals call the Hour of Power!
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- Do you work a typical 9-to-5 job and don't ski as much as you'd like?
- Are you a student slammed with homework looking to blow off some steam?
- Are you a parent looking to spend some quality time with the kiddos?
Well, look no further than the Hour of Power!
There are so many aspects of life that prevent us from enjoying the simple thrill of skiing. Whether it’s work, class, family, pets, relationships, or the litany of everyday responsibilities that come with adulting, it is vital to sneak away for some me-time in the mountains.
I used to believe that leaving work, school or the house after 3pm didn't leave enough time to take make the most of a potential ski day, but that's before some wise Alta skiers showed me how to make the most of an hour-long afternoon at Alta—something the locals call the Hour of Power.
While most ski areas in the Wasatch operate a typical 9am-4pm schedule, Alta is open daily from 9:15am-4:30pm. Meaning that when you arrive at 3:30pm on a given day, there is still a full hour left in the day on both Collins and Sunnyside lifts. That's 60 minutes of shredding, 3600 seconds to feel wind in your face that you can't experience anywhere else. Not just any skiing either, we're talking world-class slopes just a few miles the Salt Lake Valley. Enter the Hour of Power!
There are many ways to enjoy an hour of skiing, but let me tell you my go-to Hour of Power strategies:
Hour of Power Scenario 1 | Groomer Season
Even if it hasn't been snowing all day, the Hour of Power is still a great time to take advantage of the last hour of the day on the myriad groomed runs of Alta. Get out and crush some wide-open corduroy laps—making sure to ski fast. but in control. And always observe slow skiing signs!
In addition to fun groomers, more seasoned skiers should be able to spot some good wind-buffed slopes from the chair. From the top of Collins lift, sneak out the High Traverse and pick your line. One of the best places to test your buff-spotting abilities is West Rustler (aka West Russ/West Buff/West Buffler).
Hour of Power Scenario 2 | Hour of Powder
Chances are you will still find some secret stashes of untouched snow if it has been snowing all day. In true Little Cottonwood fashion, there should typically be free refills with each lap—meaning enough snow has fallen in-between laps, that your last tracks will already be covered.
Earlier-arriving storm skiers have either gone home or in the bar enjoying a frothy libation, it will seem like you have the entire mountain to yourself.
Hour of Power Scenario 3 | Sidecountry Starting Point
It's a serious test of will to get out of bed for that 5am alarm on a cold winter morning. Not when a warm bed and sleep are beckoning you to hit the snooze button "one more time." Well, I’m here to tell you that's ok!
Instead of dawn patrol, try dusk patrol. Make it up to the Alta for the last hour of the day and get an early jump on an afternoon side-country mission with friends. Hang out in the backcountry after the lifts have stopped spinning and enjoy a down-canyon sunset. If you haven’t experienced this I highly recommend it.
Hour of Power Scenario 4 | Sunnyside After Three
You may work a 9-to-5, but chances are your kids are out of school early enough to take advantage of the Hour of Power in the Albion Basin. In order to expand skiing opportunities for those new to the sports or on a budget, Alta created the Ski At Three program which offers discounted skiing from 3-4:30pm on the Sunnyside and Albion lifts. You can spend every afternoon at Alta, teaching your kids the joy of sliding down the mountain or just learning to ski on your own.
These are just a few of the things I have come to enjoy about the Hour of Power. Find the time to sneak away and experience one of these scenarios yourself. Or just venture out and discover your own Hour of Power. You’ll never find what you are looking for if you aren’t out there searching, one hour at a time.